The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 7 letter word HEADING
I've seen this crossword clue in The Times
H
E
A
D
I
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G
More clues leading to the result HEADING
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "Direction" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case direction = heading.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does HEADING mean?
HEADING verb- To be in command of. (See also head up.)
- To come at the beginning of; to commence.
- To strike with the head; as in soccer, to head the ball
- To move in a specified direction.
- To remove the head from a fish.
- To originate; to spring; to have its course, as a river.
- To form a head.
- To form a head to; to fit or furnish with a head.
- To cut off the top of; to lop off.
- To behead; to decapitate.
- To go in front of.
- To get in the front of, so as to hinder or stop; to oppose.
- (by extension) To check or restrain.
- To set on the head.
- The title or topic of a document, article, chapter, or of a section thereof.
- The direction into which a seagoing or airborne vessel's bow is pointing (apparent heading) and/or the direction into which it is actually moving relative to the ground (true heading)
- Material for the heads of casks, barrels, etc.
- A gallery, drift, or adit in a mine; also, the end of a drift or gallery; the vein above a drift.
- The extension of a line ruffling above the line of stitch.
- The end of a stone or brick which is presented outward.
- (flags) A strip of material at the hoist end of a flag, used for attaching the flag to its halyard.